Forest Inventories in Private and Protected Areas of Paraguay

Andrew G. Cervantes (), Patricia T. Vega Gutierrez and Seri C. Robinson
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Andrew G. Cervantes: Department of Wood Science & Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
Patricia T. Vega Gutierrez: Department of Wood Science & Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
Seri C. Robinson: Department of Wood Science & Engineering, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA

Challenges, 2023, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-20

Abstract: Environmental degradation in Paraguayan ecosystems relates to anthropogenic intervention and has intensified with wildfires and drought. To help mitigate forest cover loss, the local government created laws, parceled land to private owners, and established protected areas. How differences in land tenure regimes affect dendrology and biodiversity remain to be answered. This preliminary study examined the differences and similarities between three protected area forests (National Park Ybycuí, and Natural Monuments Cerro Koi, Cerro Chorori) and three family-owned forests in Guairá, Central, and Paraguarí of eastern Paraguay. Forty-three transects were established following FAO protocols to examine tree diversity, floristic composition, and complementary vegetation structure information using two biodiversity indexes. Nine hundred and three individuals were registered, representing 92 species, 80 genera, and 35 families. The most abundant families were Fabaceae, Rutaceae, Myrtaceae, and Rhamnaceae; and the most abundant genera were Pilocarpus, Columbrina, Acrocomia, Plina , and Astronium . The most important species were Parapiptadenia rigida, Peltophorum dubium , and Astronium fraxinifolium . Results showed higher species richness and significantly greater tree diversity, but a nonsignificantly larger diameter in private forests compared to protected areas studied. Detected differences were small, indicating a need for additional research of forests with differing land tenure regimes as climate dynamics continually shift and management strategies show effects.

Keywords: tree diversity; biodiversity; floristic composition; protected areas; Paraguay (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A00 C00 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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